Author: Al Davison

Al Davison

Al Davison

Al Davison resides in downtown St Paul. He grew up in Little Canada, and has also lived in Mankato, and Hibbing. He likes looking at spreadsheets and making maps, whether it is for work or for personal projects. He supports new development, especially if it involves sandwich-oriented retail.

Confessions of a Former NIMBY

When I was a teenager, a multi-family housing development was proposed next door to my family’s home in Little Canada. The developer wanted to put two rows of townhomes where there was a small home on a large lot. People in the neighborhood resisted (including my family), and ultimately the city council decided not to […]

Parking Anxiety and Paranoia

Where Will I Park? Parking is a major concern for people who drive. This concern has shaped how cities have been designed within the past few decades. This concern is tied to a very irrational mindset that leads to unnecessary anxiety and paranoia, which has damaged our cities. Parking Can Be Bad Due To Limited […]

Little Canada’s “Other” Transportation Infrastructure: Bicycling

This is part of a series of posts about a study on Little Canada’s transportation infrastructure for people who take transit, walk, and/or bike. Transit: Parts One and Two, and Walking addressed Little Canada’s buses and sidewalks. This part has an analysis of Little Canada’s biking infrastructure. What Exists Now And What Is Planned For Biking Biking can be rather difficult […]

Little Canada’s “Other” Transportation Infrastructure: Walking

This is part of a series of posts about a study on Little Canada’s transportation infrastructure for people who take transit, walk, and/or bike. In Transit: Parts One and Two, I discussed my motives behind my study along with some information and statistics about transit ridership in Little Canada. This part has an analysis of Little Canada’s pedestrian […]

Scrutinizing Roads To The Same Degree As Transit

Note: This article contains my personal opinions and are not official nor endorsed statements from my employer. The Tunnel Vision That Shapes Transportation Funding Proposals The current omnibus bill proposal regarding the state’s allocations for transportation funding has been a popular subject for Minnesotans. The Republican legislators successfully passed their proposed omnibus bills in both […]

Little Canada’s “Other” Transportation Infrastructure: Transit, Part One

Introduction & Motives Behind The Study Getting around Little Canada is relatively easy, if you have access to a vehicle. The advantages of being an inner-ring suburb of Saint Paul means that it’s well connected to the metro’s freeway network (Interstates 35E and 694, and State Highway 36). But it lacks sidewalk, bicycling, and transit infrastructure. This encourages […]